Lola Tillyaeva’s first publication was Uzbekistan: An Experience of Cultural Treasures to Colour, a colouring book which not merely beguiles the reader with artistic stimulation but also promotes her native land’s rich cultural heritage. Its 144 pages are packed with a gorgeous array of images covering 2,000 years of Uzbek history. Organized by theme, the book explores Uzbekistan’s stunning architecture, murals, carvings and textiles. On each facing page is a detailed line sketch which invites the reader to colour as they like . Besides the brilliant quality of both the photographs and the line sketches, what also stands out is how the book emphasizes the reality of each piece — where pieces of the original architecture or textile are missing, so too is that section of the line sketch in the book. One reviewer noted how this piqued her child’s interest and stimulated discussion“about the importance of the preservation of art and artifacts and learning about other cultures.”

Lola Tillyaeva’s work not only helps foster an interest in Uzbekistan and its culture, but also in wider issues  of the depictions of art. As Lola has said, “I believe that art has an incredible capacity to inspire, encourage and unite people around a cause, due to its ability to touch the human soul.”

More recently, Lola has published a new book , Be Your Own Harmonist: Awakening Your Inner Wisdom for Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing.

In this self-care guide, Lola Tillyaeva shares some of the strategies she uses to balance the competing demands of her different responsibilities upon her energy and time. Some of the hats that Lola has worn at one time or another include being an ambassador to UNESCO, film producer, entrepreneur and environmental activist. So, how does she possibly manage it all? Her book, Be Your Own Harmonist, may provide an answer.

For Lola the overarching philosophy outlined in her book is, “a merging of science and spirituality – a union crucial to the future of human progress. An all-encompassing solution for unlocking your intuition and living to your greatest potential.”

Be Your Own Harmonist is based on more than just her impressive personal experience—.It also draws upon nearly 20 years of research. She combines them to argue that the “delicate interplay between our physical, emotional and mental wellness” is critical to leading a richer, more balanced and satisfying life.

To open the book, Lola Tillyaeva talks about biology and physical wellbeing, such as the role that yoga can play in managing problems like chronic inflammation. Other topics include the importance of regular sleep routines and a healthy diet. The next section deals with brain plasticity, meditation and breathwork and Dr Tillyaeva shares how she uses them in her own life. Towards the end, Be Your Own Harmonist looks at heart intelligence and emotional resilience – two issues of great importance in today’s hyper-stressed lifestyle. Lola also explores the overlooked role that forgiveness can play in emotional well-being, which is gaining widespread recognition. For example, the American Psychological Association reports that, “research has shown that forgiveness is linked to mental health outcomes such as reduced anxiety, depression and major psychiatric disorders, as well as with fewer physical health symptoms and lower mortality rates.”